CANDY LAND

The Long Grove Chocolate Festival returns this weekend, featuring everything from hot chocolate to interactive “chocolate experiences.”

Chocolate lovers from around the Chicago region are invited to three days of pure imagination when the legendary Chocolate Fest returns to the historic streets of downtown Long Grove from now through Sunday, May 21.

From hot chocolate eats to cold chocolate drinks, Chocolate Fest has it all! This year’s cocoa-crazed family festival is the next best thing to winning a golden ticket to Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, with three days of chocolate-infused cuisine and chocolateinfused experiences plus live music, games, artists, and activities.

Chocolate Vendors

Above anything else, Chocolate Fest is known for its diverse selection of foods and drinks made with or dipped in chocolate. The festival features dozens of chocolate vendors spread out throughout historic downtown Long Grove dishing out delectable treats like chocolate donuts, chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate cupcakes, cake pops, cocoa bombs, chocolate truffles, chocolate croissants, chocolate eclairs, chocolate macarons, handdipped fine chocolates, chocolate covered funnel cakes, chocolate popcorn, chocolate cotton candy, frozen hot chocolate, and much more.

Chocolate Experiences

Meanwhile, visitors can engage in a sensorium of chocolate at various themed experiences located around the village and inside participating shops and restaurants. Historic Long Grove converts into a one giant chocolate lab during Chocolate Fest, with many merchants in town offering interactive experiences such as chocolate and wine pairings and chocolate candy-making demonstrations and viewing opportunities to see how the process unfolds up close. For competitive types, the iconic chocolate factory wrapping scene from the classic episode of “I Love Lucy” is being recreated (and sponsored by Long Grove Confectionery) on the busiest corner of the fest for anybody who is up for an extreme chocolate indulging challenge. During festival weekend, guests are encouraged not only to eat chocolate but to get interactive with chocolate by discovering all the unique and fun experiences that await.

Chocolate Music

As always, Chocolate Fest will host multiple stages of live entertainment and music, from stripped down acoustic artists to Chicago’s biggest party bands, sprinkled throughout the historic town. The main stage schedule for the rest of the weekend is as follows:

SATURDAY, MAY 20

9–11 p.m.—ARRA

7-8:20 p.m.—The Gingers

5-6:30 p.m.—Charlie Foxtrot

3-4:30 p.m.—David’s House

1:30– 2:30 p.m.—Six on Friday Noon–1 p.m.—School of Rock Arlington Heights

SUNDAY, MAY 21

4– 6 p.m. —American English

1:30– 3:30 p.m.—The Noize Noon–1 p.m.—School of Rock Barrington

CHOCOLATE ACTIVITIES

For the young and young at heart, Chocolate Fest 2023 will include complimentary throwback games, chocolate pie eating contests, impersonators, live animal shows, DJs, and chocolate arts and crafts located in Fountain Square. There will also be a separate classic carnival area with everyone’s favorite carnival thrill rides and games. Plus, in Towner Green, a brand-new Artist Row will feature a selection of dazzling local artists curated by Long Grove's own Epilogue. Chocolate Fest marks the official opening of the spring shopping season in town, with village merchants featuring big promos and sales throughout the event weekend in addition to decadent chocolatethemed specialties.

Chocolate Fest is held through Sunday, May 21, in historic downtown Long Grove at 145 Old McHenry Road. Hours are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $5 per day or $10 for a three-day pass. For tickets and more information, visit longgrove. org/festivals/chocolatefest.